Automatic synchronizer.



R. C. LEAKE. AUTOMATIC SYNCHRONIZBR. APPLICATION YILEU AUG.10,1908.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

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' between the rotary elements tion" that their instantaneousriNrrEDsrn'rssfgrsnr oFFIoE.

RICHARD C. LEAKE, OF LAKELAND, NEW YORK ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SIMON B.

STURER, OE SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC SYNCHBONIZER.

i To all whom it may concem itknown that I, PACKARD C. Leann, ofLukeland, in the county of Onondaga, in the. Starteof New York, haveinvented new andiuseful Improvements in Automatic Syn- ChiOIfiZerS,ofwhich the following, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawclear, a' nd exact description. his vention rebates to certainimprovemerits. in automatic synchronizers for rota-ry electrical-machines which are-adapted to be placed in electrical connection withfor synchronous action when the nect-ion with an alternating currentcircuit haying an electric switch connected therein to be synchronizedQnd it is/therefore, necessary to bring the 'speds-of 'themachines inosuch relaloltage alues and number of alternations per minute areapproximately the same to prevent injury to any 'of the apparatus byexeessive'rush of current: 4

My object, therefore, for thro\ the machines into circuit at about theinstant when the voltagevalues and alternations per minute areapproximately the same.

A .more 5 18 to provide means )ecific object is to control the closingof tie switch through the medium of one or more. rolling members and a.tilting support (ii-supports therefor.

A further object is to control the tilting uf the support and action ofthe rolling member lengthwise thereof by electrical means connected incircuitf'irith the generhtornatieally closing the sb'iteh to rerter willcontinue to run ator and rotary element to be syneln-zinizeil 3therewith. to time the closing of the circuit bet ween the rotaryelements which are to be brought into synchronism b means of out: ormore roll in; members, the action of which is dependof a. tlltlllgcut-41pm: the degree of lllt'llllC support which in turn is(:flliil'z'illtthli) the relatiye voltage values and. number of al- Inother words, I have soughtj tel-nations per minute of the two machines()t.ltei" olJjeels and uses relating to specific be brought out inthefollow ing description. 1 In-tlie drawings, I have shown drugranu lvoltage VttlliQS and huinben. t

Specification .0: Letters Patent. t t v. 1 1913 Application filed August10, 1908. Serial No. 447,730. i

met ically an elevation of my improved synchronizing mechanism inconnection with a diagrammatic view of an alternet'inglg currentgenerator and a rotary converter together with an electric switch forclosing the circuit between the generator and converter when theproximately into step s'aidswitch .being shown as open. v

latter are brought ap- A represents an alternating generator having-"anthis instance, three-.55

leads --1--, h adapted to be connectedj i' 'byllan switch -B to similarleads-r 1" and 3- of a' rotary coni te r C reference character i s theswitrzhes for the motor,,+ m dicates the slip rings of therotary'Iconrerter C. and denotes the commutator. A main line adaptedtobeied by .the alternator is illustrated at M,"with the larnps X,

in electrical connection.

A direct, circuit adapted to rotary converter. is indicated at E and. e;motor 1' is provided intthis circuit. The motor -c-' IS an inductionmotor andlis used to bring the rotary converter C up to' synchronousspeed witlrtlie alterna tor A-at which time the automatic hynchronizerwill close switches B, and outline direct-f0 the converter.- After thistakes'place the switches -s-- may be op'eh'ed. The confrom currentsupplied through switches Bi v The switch B- which l s showndiagrammatically inits opene'd position is adapted to he closed by oneor more elec trumuguets 4- or siu'filanfderices which are connected inan electric circuit -5- having normally separated contact termi-' nalsand -7- adapted to .be brought together when the two machines areapproximately in step or rather when the Voltage waves are increasingand decreasing under practically identical conditions for the purpose"of closing the switch -t-B- The. aetioifiof the gencratorimd rotaryconverter are'- wfell understood by those skilled in the art and it is,therefore-unnecessary to enter into any detailed description of thesame, ekcept to state that they are adapted to be electrically connectedby the switch -'-B- {when their instantaneous 2 and which are? ofalternations is sensitive to be influenced 'by the slightest 50',.,chincs are approximately in step as just deper minute areapproximately 'the same so that the rotary converter may be driven by.

euit and switch B automatic it' is necessary to provide some suitable eectrical device or devices which are sufiiciently V "variations in theinstantaneous values of thevfoltage waves or number of alternations 4per minute of the two machines which are toljbe synchronized and forthis purpose I have\provided two solenoids .D and and -l 8'- and eachprovide -*flexibly -;.connected by links 11 an "11'- to the oppositeends of'a' walking belmi or lever -'12' which is. centrally =piv-- orwindings and 10'- are connectcoils -0r win ings t ffupon a fixed support13-- substan'-.

'tially midwa between the solenoids. The -;9- and 9'- of the oppositeSOlGIlOIdS -D and --D are e ectric'ally" connected in series by wiresHF-i-and with the leads -1 and of the generator -A- while the coils edin series by wires and -17- with thelads 1'- and -'2' 'of the rotaryconverter :The cells -'9 and of-the solenoid -D are wound in- 'the samedirection to assist. each other in their magnetic pull upon the core -8-when the two machines are approximately instep or rather when theirinstantaneous I 1 voltage values and number of alternations per 7 minuteare approximately the same thereby tending to operatethe lever '-l2-- inone direction.- The coils or windings 9'- and -10'- of the solenoid arewound to oppose each other and, therefore, when the two mascribed, themagnetic pull of each coil -9- and 10' u on the corresponding pluner orcore -8 is counteracted or neutralized by the other thereby leaving theplungel 8' substantially free from any electrical influencc. Outhc otherhand, when the two-machines are in opposition, itis evident that themagnetic pull of the coils 9- and -10 of the solenoid D will counteracteach other and free the lunger -8'--while the magnetic pull on tiiecoils and 10 of the solenoid 1)- will be combined to exert magnetic pullupon the co ejor plunger -8-- thereby rocking -12 will becomeexceedingly slow in the direction of the solenoid D- at which time thecurrentis flowing in the same direction through both of the windings 9'and -10- and exert a combined magnetic pull upon the plunger 8 -w-h iletheeflect" of the current in the windings of the opposite solenoid D'-are neutralized one by the other as previously described. Thisoscillatory ,acti on, of the lever' -wm js utiliaed' -to. partiallycontrol the closin of the switch circuit 5 through the me ium of thecontact terminals and ,-7- but is not sufficiently delicate in itsoperation to be relied upon to clos e the switch at the proper time andfor this purposeI have interposed between the lever -12--- and contactterminals suitable timing mechanism.whereby a short periodiof time willbe allowed to close the switch when the two machines are brought intoapproximate synchronism of action and at the same time providing meansto prevent the closing of .the switch circuit bysudden fluctuations ofload in either'machine at the time when they are approaching synchronismof action. This timing mechanism consists primaril of a weighted rollingmember whic rides upon a tiltable inclined track. or way '-19 which ispivoted at one end at -20 5' and is inclined slightly from a horizontalplane from its pivot toward its opposite end,.

the latter being provided with a' suitablepocket 21- in which the ballrests when in its starting position or when the end of 116 the lever--12- to which the plunger-8 is attached is elevated as will behereinafter explained. This lever 19 .is connected at one side of itspivot, in this instance, intermediate its ends to a pendant link 22having its lower end pivotally connected to' one end of a lever 23-which is fulcrumed at -24-, the opposite end of said lever forming theterminal -7 of the switch circuit 5- and is inclined slightly from ahorizontal plane from its fulcrum 24.

A rolling member 25-is adapted to rest upon the upper inclined face ofthe lever 23- and also adapted to rest upon an oppositely inclinedbearing face 26- which is disposed in a plane intersecting that of theinclined upper face of the lever 23 between two limiting stops27-, thelatter serving to limit the rollin action of the member -25--al0ng saidinclined members, 1 80 v i the link --11- of the plunger -8. m. oppositeend of the lever is provided with a aring a greater nortlon thereofdisposed in an the relative connections between the levers -19- and 23being such that when the lever -19- is depressed at the proper time, theterminal end of the lever -23 will be 5 brought into contact with theterminal -6- to close the circuit 5 and thereby close the switch B- toelectrically connect the two machines. v

A timing lever 28 is fulcrumcd at one I 10 end at -29 directly above andin proximity to the fulcrum '-20- of the lever and extends in the samedirection as Said lever19- a sufiicient distance therefrom'to permit thefreeaction of the rolling member 18- along the incline 19-, the

' latter end of said lever being connected by a link to the lever 12--between the fulcrum 13- and point of connection viilth 1e comparativelyshort arm '-31 which is connected by a link -32 to one end of a .timinglever -33-, the -1attcr being ful crumedcintermediate its ends at 34-directly. above the lever -23 and support --2G'-, sufiicient clearancebeing leftfor thefree action of the rolling member during the slowaction of the lever 12-- when the machines are approachingsynchronismvof action- This lever 33- coacts with the rolling member 25to depress the lever 23- carrying the terminal away from thecontact 6-under "quick or impulsive action of the walking gq beam -12- but toallow the rolling member --25 to roll down the incline of the lever -23-when the action of the walking beam is sufliciently slow to permit suchrollin movement thereby allowing the termina s 7- to contact with theterminal -6 to close the switch circuit.

The rolling member 18- is expelled from its starting position in thepocket -21 noon the incline member 19 and 1 returned along said inclinedmember by a lever 35 which is fulcrumed at -.3G near the free end of thelever -l9- and its opposite end is connected by a toggle -37 to thelever -28- some distance in advance of its fulcrum 2-$)-, said lever -35havver -28-- and walking beam l2- relative to the inclined support l9-for the rolling member l8, the end of said lever -35- at. the oppositeside of its fulcrum 36-bcing deflected upwardly at a slightly greaterincline and forming a tripping member to lift the rolling member l8-from its pocket 2l on to the inclined lever -19 when the plunger -8descends slowly, the opposite end of said lever being depressed by thedepression ofthe lever 28 through the'medium of the toggle -37'- or byits own gravit as th movementof the toggle 37- wi allow.

The reference character 37' denotes an adj usta le stop for that end ofthe lever 35 to which is connected the toggle 37. The stop 37 isadjustably connected to a'sups'.

porting bracket 38'.

If the tripping end of the lever 35 is thrown up too suddenly therolling member is thrown against. a stop pin --40- and thereby preventedfrom rolling down the inclined lever 19, the latter action taking placeonly when the plunger '8 and adjacenl end of the lever 12- descendsslowly. This allows the rolling member to roll along the incline19-''directly under the superposed lever 28- and inasmuch as the inclineis slight the rolling action of 5 the member 18 will be correspondinglyslow toward the fulcrum -20--..

The speed and travel of the rolling mem ber l8 is regulated by theincline of the lever ll) to correspond to a predeter- 10a mined slownessof descent of the plunger 8 and corresponding end of the lever -12necessary to allow the closing of the switch circuit without endangeringany of the apparatus from undue rush ofcurrent.

This rolling member 18- also serves as a means for transmitting motionfrom the lever -2S to the lever 19 and thence to the lever -23 throughthe medium of the link 22 so that if the descent of the plunger issufficiently slow to enable the rolling member -18 to travel apredetermined distance along the lever 19+ with" out interruption by thelever 28-, the

movement of the lever 33-- will also be sulliciently slow to allow therolling mem ber -25- to roll away from the left hand stop -27- along theinclined lever -23 toward the right hand stop 27' and free end of thelever -33- and upon the sta tionary incline 26 thus leaving the terminalend of the lever '23 free to be forced into contact with the tcrminal-6to close the switch circuit as the plunger -8 and adjacent end of thewalking beam l2-- and lever 2S continues to descend, which latter actionbrings the lever -Z8* into contact with the rolling member -l8, forcingit against and depressing the lever l9- and thereby rocking the terminalend'of the lever -23- into contact with the terminal 6- through themedium of the link -22-.

In some instances, the switch 'B 15 adapted to close instantly upontheclosing be impinged between the two elements- 19 and- -'.28 earlieror later in its travel'according to'th'e conditions of speeds of the twomachines A and C when ap proaehing synchronising it being understoodthat the rolling member 18 is prevented from -movement along the incline19 until the two machinesv are moving within a predetermined differenceof speed at which it is safe to close the switch and being earlier orlater in the-stroke as predetermined by the operative position 0 theball upon, the incline and the form of switch employed. For example,if'a quick closing switch is used the release of the rolling member isreferred to later in he's'troke and the incline of the leversanddistance apart is so adjusted that the ballwill travel quickly to theopposite end tonsequently closing the switchat the point of synchronism,while on the other and if an oil switch is used, the ball should leavethe; pocket earlier inthe stroke and the distance apart and incline ofthe levers so adjusted that the ball will be impinged in such positionthat will correspond to the difference in speeds of the two machines,

the travel of the balldown the incline being limited by a suitable stopas for instance the toggle 37.'

In case of abnormal conditions of the two machines after the rollingmember l8-- has entered upon the incline -19-, the inter-position of therolling member --25-' between the levers 23'and 33- will operate toprevent the closing of the contactterminals -6- and 7-.

The roller 18' is returned to its normal starting position in the pocket--21- by the elevation of the left hand end of the ever 35 which is,slotted throughout its len' th to receive the lever --19, so that whenthe left hand end of the lever-.--3 5="- e is rocked upwardlysufliciently to incline to ward its pivots -36-, it engages and the ballor roller ---18- from the lev r --19- and causes such ball or roller to'ri e down inclined lever -35' into the' pocket 21-. This upward tiltingof the' left hand end of the lever -35 is brought about by the raisingof the plunger of the lever -28 in thesame direction} Bearing in'mindalso that the solenoids]?! whenthe machines are out of step or out ofsynchronism, thus causing the right hand end of the lever -l2'- to rockupwardly and similarly rocking the right handyflndi through the mediumof the connection 30, the left hand end of the lever being tiltedppwardly by, the toggle conned-I" tion 37-. j The lower end 1 0f. thelink -22 is yieldingly connected to the'lever er spring -"22 which takesthe downward thrust-"of the link -22- and prevents excessive s'train'onthe:

terminal end-7' of the leveragainst the contact terminal "if 50 In theoperation of the device, mind that theobject of the inventioaisftprovide automatic means for closing I'thE switch B when the machines,that is to ay; the rotary converterand generatorlare'ap 8k proximatelyin step so that the converter may be driven by and in synchronismwiththe generator by' the closing of said "Switch;-

and D. are suificiently sensitive 'tofbe'in 'fluenced by. theslightestyariations' ipitlie'finstantaneous values of "the voltagewaves; or number of alternations per minute'offthe two inachines whicharetobe synehroiiized,

"it willbe seen thatthewalking '12c0n stitut'es' primarilythe'movingpowerjofthe automatic. switch closin mec faslong as-the two macinesare-drivnl'at different speeds, a e walking beam; '12'- -aa heoscillated by'the solenoids more or its less ulsive'andf'unsteady'mannerand that i when t ese machines approach synchronism of movement, the -.ac tion ofthe': lever .w'ill' become-slower and. slower. Now, let itsupposed that the roller '18 is inthe pocltet;

21 and that the 'lev'er12 is oscillating "imif pulsively. Thiswill-cause the lever 28h); oscillate impulsively in like-manner andzthrough the tog le' 37, the lever 35=.will-be repeatedly jerked up fromthe stop 37', the" long endof thelever acting to restore itfto positionon the stop when the toggle; is'

roken, as shown in the figure. This will behind cause the roller 18 tobethrownup .L;

the stop 40 asthe long arm-of the lever 35' drops downward and permit itto' be re leased to drop back inthe'pocketfll asgthe; f.- 5

long arm of the lever35 moves a ward,; At the same time, the movementof-the'l'evei;2 v,-

will oscillate thele've'r 33. through thelmk 32. Now thetendency of theleverfigfi isto have the end 7 move u ward/since the] weight of thelever 19 an the connection? I 22and22' at all times tend to roducetlii1fresult: However, by the rapi oscillati0n'125 of-the lever 12, the roller25 is acted on w the lever 33 to constantly foroe the ma idownward-before the inertia has been overcome so that there isno contactbetween?" the end 7 and the contact point at this time. hen, however,the movement of the lever 12 becomes slow, the movement of the lever 33.will likewise become slow and the end 7 of the lever 23 willaccordingly he raised to a greater height and thereby permil; the pocket21 to drop sufiiciently far so that the movement of the lever 35 willact to cause the roller 18 to pass out of the f pocket and roll down thelever 19. There- 10 upon, when the lever 12 is again acted on by thesolenoid D, the roller will be caught 7 between the-levers 28 and 19 andthe end 7 forced up against the contact 6 thereby closing the circuitand energizing the magnets 4 to close the switch 13,.

\Yhatl claim is:

, 1. In a synchronizer for rotary electric machines, an electric switchconnected in circuit'with said machines, a switch operating 20 circuit'and a circuit closer connected therei with, a tiltable inclined support28, a rolling member uponsaid support, means actuated byya 'ations inthe relative instantaneous voltagfvalues of said machines for control--the movementof the inclined support Hing... member, therealong and I'mova'ble by said actuated means aa daptedafor contact with said rollingmember'fo -controlling the action of the circuit closer I 2. In asynchronizer for rotary electric 7 machines, an electric switchconnected in circuit with snide-machines, a switch operating circuibanda circuitcloser positioned therein, a. tiltabl support 28 and a. rollingmen heradapted to? movement therealong, means controlled by-the changein the relative number o faaltcrnations per minute of said machines,"and means movable by said controlled'mans adapted through engagement;-

' with said rolling member for controlling the action of the circuitcloser.

' 3. In a synchronizer for rotary machines, a normally open electricswitch connected in circuit with said machines, electrical operatingmeans forsaid switch, a

electric circuit closer connected in circuit with said means, a tiltableinclined support 28 and a rolling member adapted for movement theralong,electrically operated means controlled by the change in the relativevoltage values and number of alternations per minute of said machinesadapted for; controlling "the for said switch, a'circuit closer in saidop'er: ating circuit, an electrically operated means' 5 connected in thefirst named. circuit controlled by the change in the relative voltagevalues and number of alternations per minute of the said machines, aninclined sup- '1 port and a rolling member movahle"there-; along and ameans carried by sa1d-electn+ cally operated means and adapted for cpnitactingsaid rolling means for cont-rolhnr: the action of the circuitcloser. 5. In an automatic synchronizer for rotary electric machines, anelectrically opcr ated switch in circuit with said machines, a. circuitcloser in circuit with said switch, an inclined support 28, a rollingmember mounted for movement upon said supp0rt," o.

electrically operated means connected in circuit with said machines,contacting means movable by said operated means'andadapted uponengagementby said rolling member in the path of movement thereof foroperat- 35 ing the circuit closer. In witness whereof I have hereuntoset my hand this 7th day of August 1908.

RICHARD C. LEAKE. \Vitnesses H. E. CHASE, CAROLINE MCCORMAOK.

